"Although it's already the tail end of the Second Great Ninja War, it's still wartime after all."
Yuji thought to himself.
In times of war, the environmental pressure felt by Ninja is naturally different.
Patrol missions like these usually last for several months... and they aren't even on the front lines of the border, so they're considered low-risk C-rank missions.
But in special times, even a C-rank mission is extremely dangerous for those who have just graduated from the Ninja Academy.
Chunin Endo walked to the cave entrance, constantly observing the outside with great caution.
The two Genin beside Yuji also became increasingly nervous.
It felt like an eternity... After a long while, Endo frowned, picked up a stone, left a special mark on the cave wall, and turned to the three, saying, "Pack up your things, we're changing positions."
Hearing this, Yuji immediately sprang into action.
He was the first to help the injured Chunin to his feet.
"Hurry up!"
Seeing the remaining two still in a daze, Endo urged them again sternly.
Too much time had passed; their companion who went to find Shimada should have returned long ago.
Something might have happened.
Although uncertain, they had to prepare for the worst.
The two Genin also immediately grabbed their belongings, large and small.
Then, Endo destroyed all traces of their hideout in the cave.
And led them away.
Fortunately, the injured Chunin could still move, though his body was weak.
"To survive on the battlefield, one must remain vigilant."
In the canyon, the five of them dashed forward.
Yuji stared at Endo's figure, a thought flashing through his mind.
If the Chunin who went to find their companion encountered enemies, he might reveal their hideout, leading to them being wiped out by the enemy.
"But the problem isn't here... If enemies have infiltrated this far, it means the front-line alert and patrol teams have been breached. Not receiving any prior intel suggests the enemy numbers aren't large... but their strength must be considerable." Yuji's mind raced, "Judging by the time... Nomura might have also encountered enemies. If the opponent is an elite squad, and intel hasn't been relayed, then all the teams in this second-line zone are currently unaware of the enemy's presence."
This was the most terrifying part.
By now, it was completely dark, and the light in the valley was even dimmer due to the wind and sand.
However, relying on Endo's familiarity with the terrain, their speed did not decrease under his lead.
Whoosh!
Just as they were traveling, Yuji's ears twitched, and he suddenly heard a faint whooshing sound.
"Watch out!"
He immediately shouted.
A Kunai shot from an unknown direction, targeting the two slower, somewhat lagging Genin.
Attached to the thrown Kunai was a burning explosive tag.
Boom!
Although Yuji's warning was timely, his two companions' movements were stiff, especially since their minds were constantly highly tense, affecting their reactions.
After an explosion of smoke and fire, Yuji covered his nose and landed on a large rock, hearing the screams of his companions.
Someone was injured!
Yuji flicked his arm, quickly pulling out a weapon from his waist pouch.
A scalpel.
Not the Kunai commonly used by Ninja.
He covered his nose with one hand and took a fighting stance with the other, preparing for battle.
At the same time, his icy gaze swept around.
"Ahhh..."
Ten meters away, the injured boy fell to the ground, screaming incessantly.
"Still conscious... means the problem isn't big."
Yuji listened to his companion's screams, immediately making a doctor's subconscious judgment, but his gaze did not focus on him.
"Oh, quite fast reactions, aren't they..."
As soon as they stopped, they were immediately caught up by the enemy.
A voice appeared above Yuji's head.
He saw an Amegakure Ninja wearing a tight white Ninja uniform, like a rubber raincoat, with four vertical lines on his forehead protector.
The opponent, like a leopard, leaped into the air onto the wall above Yuji's back, standing firmly on the wall at a ninety-degree angle to the ground, his expression mocking as he assessed the boy who was facing a formidable enemy.
"The worst has come..."
Upon seeing this, Yuji's heart sank.
The opponent's appearance was too distinctive.
An Amegakure Ninja... and from his clothing, he was an Amegakure elite.
A subordinate personally trained by Hanzou, known as the 'Demigod of the Ninja World'.
As soon as his voice fell, the Amegakure Ninja had already attacked from the air.
Transforming into a streak of light.
Clang!
Kunai and scalpel sparked as they clashed, their bodies passing each other.
"Eh?"
The Amegakure Ninja's expression was clearly surprised that his attack failed.
The boy in front of him had some skill... "But... still too green."
The Amegakure Ninja seemed to have landed directly in front of Yuji, turning to rush at him.
But the next second, his hideous face inexplicably emerged from behind Yuji, where he had been guarding.
His Kunai, while speaking, stabbed towards the boy's neck.
A very typical Clone Jutsu... using a clone to distract and draw attention, giving the real body an opportunity for a fatal blow.
This time... it should work... The man curled his lips.
However, an even more astonishing scene appeared before him.
The boy seemed to have anticipated his dirty trick, suddenly turning around and unleashing a cold flash just as his real body approached.
The Amegakure Ninja immediately stopped his attack and retreated.
It was fortunate he retreated quickly, otherwise, that strike... would have slit his throat.
"…"
The Amegakure Ninja, still shaken, stood ten meters away and touched the wound on his cheek, which had been cut by the boy's strange blade.
After Yuji repelled him, he actually, in a short instant, took down the pincer-attacking clone.
At this time, the other few people in the valley were also fighting their own battles.
"There should only be three or four enemies... I should be able to hold them off for a while." Yuji analyzed, listening to the sounds coming from other directions.
"Not bad... you have some combat experience, and your taijutsu is excellent for your age... worthy of a Ninja trained by a great Ninja village." The Amegakure Ninja sneered, even clapping for Yuji, but the killing intent in his eyes became increasingly obvious.
"Water Clone... Water Release Chakra, so he's a Ninja skilled in Water Release." Yuji remained composed.
"Water Release: Iron Water Bullet!"
Immediately after, the Amegakure Ninja suddenly formed hand signs.
Like a machine gun, he continuously shot out several fist-sized water bubbles from his mouth.
Although it wasn't a Water Release Ninjutsu Yuji was familiar with, the nature of the Ninjutsu felt familiar.
It was somewhat similar to the Hōzuki clan's Water Gun, but the speed and power were far inferior.
At least, at a certain distance, Yuji could react to it.
Crushed stones exploded underfoot as Yuji's figure continuously weaved and dodged.
However, just as he thought he could avoid it, and while his body was constantly moving, several slender and hidden Senbon suddenly shot out in front of him.
Bang!
The next second, his body was accurately hit by the Senbon.
But it burst into a puff of white smoke.
"Hmm?"
The Amegakure Ninja was startled.
Turning his head, he saw a small figure, just like he had ambushed earlier, appearing beside him in a similar fashion.
Returning the favor with the same attack method.
"Clone? When?"
The Amegakure Ninja's heart trembled.
"Data capture complete, model established, commencing counterattack."
Yuji's face was expressionless, mumbling in a voice as soft as a mosquito's.